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China Claims US Sec. of State Pompeo Has 'Extreme Evil Intention' for Using 'Wuhan Virus' Term

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China says that United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has “extreme evil intention” for using the term “Wuhan virus” when talking about the coronavirus pandemic.

In a Thursday media briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said that the use of the phrase was “slandering China’s efforts to combat the disease” and jeopardizing international efforts to fight the virus, NBC News reported.

“This American politician insists on defaming China against the international consensus,” Shuang said, according to NBC.

“This is an attempt with extreme evil intention to divert domestic attention and putting the blame on others.”

Pompeo is not the only American politician to use the terms “Wuhan virus” or “Chinese virus” when describing the coronavirus.

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President Donald Trump has repeatedly used the phrasing to put blame on China for trying to conceal information about COVID-19.

However, the president has also been accused of fueling xenophobia as a result of coronavirus fears.

Last week, Trump maintained that there was nothing racist about the label, Politico reported.

“It’s not racist at all. No, not at all,” he told reporters at the White House.

Do you think the term "Chinese virus" is racist?

“It comes from China, that’s why. It comes from China. I want to be accurate.”

On Monday, Trump backtracked and tweeted that he will no longer be using the term to “protect our Asian American community.”

“It is very important that we protect our Asian American community in the United States, and all around the world,” he wrote.

“They are amazing people, and the spreading of the Virus is NOT their fault in any way, shape, or form. They are working closely with us to get rid of it.”

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“WE WILL PREVAIL TOGETHER!” he added.

In a Twitter post Thursday, Shuang praised Trump’s decision and said that “The US is back on track.”

“We hope that the US will work together with China and the world when facing the challenges of the epidemic and maintain global public health security,” he tweeted.

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Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. A University of Oregon graduate, Erin has conducted research in data journalism and contributed to various publications as a writer and editor.
Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. She grew up in San Diego, California, proceeding to attend the University of Oregon and graduate with honors holding a degree in journalism. During her time in Oregon, Erin was an associate editor for Ethos Magazine and a freelance writer for Eugene Magazine. She has conducted research in data journalism, which has been published in the book “Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future.” Erin is an avid runner with a heart for encouraging young girls and has served as a coach for the organization Girls on the Run. As a writer and editor, Erin strives to promote social dialogue and tell the story of those around her.
Birthplace
Tucson, Arizona
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Graduated with Honors
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, University of Oregon
Books Written
Contributor for Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future
Location
Prescott, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English, French
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Health, Entertainment, Faith




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